Tarek Chaiboub's Funeral

The sun shone brilliantly, with a blustery wind blowing, as those who came to pay their last respects to Tarek Chaiboub passed the police presence at the gates of Tinsley Cemetery.

A diverse group from many communities assembled at the graveside. Those from Tarek’s own Arab Muslim community had attended a packed ‘Jenaza’, or funeral prayers at the Quba Mosque in Attercliffe. As is the tradition within the Muslim community, the men of the community attended the funeral and showed little emotion.

But many others, including Tarek’s peers from outside his community also attended, young men and women, some wearing T-Shirts in tribute: “In my heart I’ll keep you friend”, with a photograph of Tarek and “11.07.08”, the date of Tarek’s death. One T-shirt said simply: “Stop the Violence”. Some of the young women present wept openly.

As the young men from the Muslim community filled the grave the weather changed swiftly with a brief rain shower and cold wind. As the graveside prayers were said, members of all communities knelt towards the ground in respect.